KandyEscapes | The Adventure Travel Site

The Kandy Perahera in Sri Lanka

Ranked as the oldest spiritual event in Sri Lanka’s Buddhist calendar, the Kandy Perahera is an annual procession with a rich history and legacy that dates back centuries.

The Sacred Tooth Relic

Although most tourists head to Sri Lanka to witness the Kandy Perahera every July/August, most are unaware of the sacred tooth relic and its connection to this iconic procession. Once a year, the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha stored at the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) is encased in a jewelled container and travels the length of Kandy on the back of a tusker. While the actual tooth relic remains protected inside the temple, it is a replica that takes part in the festivities associated with the Kandy Perahera, symbolising the prized possession of the Buddhist faith in Sri Lanka.

A Grand Affair

No aspect of the Kandy Perahera can be deemed small-scale, and it is considered one of the largest and longest processions in the world. Although the tooth relic is the focal point of the parade, it is easy to lose sight of this holy object in a procession that includes fire breathers, whip crackers and countless drummers and dancers. Acrobats, swordsmen and performance artists of every imaginable variety take part in the procession.

The Hindu Shrines

The Temple of the Tooth is not the only Kandyan religious institution that is involved in the parade as the participation of the Vishnu, Katharagama, Natha and Pattini Hindu Temples in Kandy have been part of the celebrations for decades.

Witnessing the Perahera

Tourists and pilgrims often travel to Kandy, Sri Lanka, to witness the procession and navigate the streets of the city as documented by Kandy Escapes and other travel blogs. Locals, however, catch the parade live on national TV.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: An Experience Worth Relishing

Pinnawala, with its luxuriant plantation surroundings and generously flowing river, is a welcome sight for nature lovers. Its stunning population of Asian elephants, rescued from harsh realities, effortlessly captures the hearts of visitors regardless of their age or wildlife affinity.

Elephants being fed at an orphanage | Image by Taru Goyal on Unsplash

A Historic Wildlife Sanctuary

Now comprising 93 gracefully gigantic inhabitants, this true-to-nature refuge – the world’s largest sanctuary for Asian elephants – was established in 1975 to provide a safe space for young elephants left injured or abandoned in the wild.

Bonding with Gentle Giants

Spanning ten to thirteen feet in height and weighing up to twelve thousand kilograms, the size of these mammals may intimidate you at first, but their wise, gracious, and playful ways will soon put even a child at ease. Pinnawala gives you an intimate glimpse into a day in the life of a Sri Lankan elephant – from feeding a sweet baby elephant from a milk bottle to watching these massive creatures splash each other as they bathe in the river and gambol together in the nursery.

When to Visit?

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is found approximately an hour’s drive away from the UNESCO-listed heritage jewel of Kandy, Sri Lanka. Make sure to head to the iconic wildlife oasis in time for breakfast at 9:15 am or lunch at 1:15 pm and swim time at 10 am and 2 pm. Travel to Kandy for enriching experiences like this, and enlist the expert guidance of travel blogs such as Kandy Escapes.

Safe and Savvy Tips

While it’s easy to be swept away by the gentle approachability and charming antics of these gargantuan animals, it’s also important to treat them with respect and consideration, keeping to the guidelines instructed by the trained staff.

Set Off on a Hike to Knuckles

Renowned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Knuckles Mountain range has been famed for its human fist like appearance from certain angles. This magnificent gift of nature is located in the Kandy and Matale districts of Sri Lanka and is highly popular among hikers from all over the world.

Knuckles_mountain_range_-_Sri_Lanka — Thusitha Jayasundara, Knuckles mountain range – Sri Lanka, CC BY-SA 4.0

How to Get to Knuckles

While several access points allow you to reach Knuckles, the most popular entrance is in Matale. However, this solely depends on where you are residing at. If you plan to travel to Kandy on a vacation, the access point will not be over a journey of an hour or two to Hunnasgiriya, once again, based on the route that you choose to take. However, do visit the Kandy Escapes website for a deeper insight on how to adapt and prepare for the weather conditions in Kandy, if you wish to enter Knuckles from a Kandy access point.

How to Climb Knuckles

While Knuckles’ popularity attracts many hikers, it is only advisable that you climb the mountain range if you carry a considerable level of experience in the art. However, a guide must accompany you, regardless of your level of hiking experience, in order to avoid getting lost. Therefore, a qualified guide will direct you through the paths that should be taken.

Grab a Bite on The Way

As you climb up one of Sri Lanka’s most difficult mountain trails, hunger will not be too far away. Being a protected reserve prevents hotels and resorts from opening up in the Knuckles and therefore, food is likely to become a luxury during the course of your hike. Stock up what you need in a backpack and grab a bite whenever hunger takes you over.

Other Attractions

While setting off on an adventurous hike is what Knuckles is known for, the areas surrounding this mountain range host plenty of other attractions for hikers and tourists. Deep into the forest lies Meemure, a rural village of picturesque views, Kandy, the sacred city of the Temple of the Tooth and the Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple in Matale.